General News Thread

[Jspear]

Interesting news. It's a good thing, environmentally, but it's a pity riders won't be allowed to throw their empty bottles away at places where, for instance, young kids are watching. I've more than once seen an extremely happy face on a kid, when this happened and it would be a shame, if this weren't allowed anymore.

The fine for not complying is so small I'm certain young kids (and oldies) will still get their souvenirs.

 

[Arnout]

The fine for not complying is so small I'm certain young kids (and oldies) will still get their souvenirs.

Well... if you throw away three bottles per day in a week-long (8 day) race and you get fined every time you're paying €1000. I doubt many riders would be happy to do that.

 

[Bye Bye Bicycle]

Prudhomme attends and speaks at Bora press conference today and claims how important Germany is for the sport...

... that wild card is fixed, it seems.

 

[Gloin22]

Prudhomme attends and speaks at Bora press conference today and claims how important Germany is for the sport...

... that wild card is fixed, it seems.

Well considering how they did this year plus the German come back into cycling, it was always sure.

Let's be fair it was always going be Bora, Cofidis and Bretagne, IAM and MTN.


Giro, Neri, Bardiani, Vini(?) and Androni. That would leave Colombia out but considering they lost Duarte and Pantano they might not deserve place at all anyway this year.

Although I actually think UHC could go instead of Vini I reckon. Brajkovic, Canola ( 2014 Giro stage winner) Ratto, Bazzana. Good Italian core to entice them to give a chance while Vini is a new team, only have Cunego to be fair.

Although if IAM don't go to WT, that would leave 5 wildcard spots meaning Vini/UHC/Colombia fighting for 2 spots ( Bardiani Androni are certs, are Neri are automatic ) while IAM probably wont be going for Giro with Suiise and Tour bigger targets.

 

[lemon cheese cake]

Well considering how they did this year plus the German come back into cycling, it was always sure.

Let's be fair it was always going be Bora, Cofidis and Bretagne, IAM and MTN.


Giro, Neri, Bardiani, Vini(?) and Androni. That would leave Colombia out but considering they lost Duarte and Pantano they might not deserve place at all anyway this year.

Although I actually think UHC could go instead of Vini I reckon. Brajkovic, Canola ( 2014 Giro stage winner) Ratto, Bazzana. Good Italian core to entice them to give a chance while Vini is a new team, only have Cunego to be fair.

Although if IAM don't go to WT, that would leave 5 wildcard spots meaning Vini/UHC/Colombia fighting for 2 spots ( Bardiani Androni are certs, are Neri are automatic ) while IAM probably wont be going for Giro with Suiise and Tour bigger targets.

Vini will be in the Giro because it is an italian team.

 

[mortailcoil]

what a waste.

Good idea. What a wasted post.

 

[TourOfSardinia]

Innovation water bottle

Someday soon, cyclists might never again have to worry about running out of water on a hot and humid day.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/11/17/water-from-air-fontus_n_6160136.html

How long this this tech gets into the Pro Peloton?

 

[classicomano]

Kenny van Hummel retires after not finding a proper team. So long Kamikaze Kenny.

 

[Ferminal]

Cycling Australia's "Team of the Century"


Two riders for the general classification – Cadel Evans, Phil Anderson
Two domestiques to support general classification riders – Richie Porte, Michael Rogers
One sprinter – Robbie McEwen
Two leadout men for the sprinter – Brad McGee, Mark Renshaw
One all rounder – Simon Gerrans
One team captain – Sir Hubert Opperman

Not sure what Renshaw is doing there instead of O'Grady but whatever. Good outfit for a TTT.

 

[Dazed and Confused]

Kenny van Hummel retires after not finding a proper team. So long Kamikaze Kenny.

One of my favorite bunch sprinters, oh well. Good luck Kenny.

 

[greenedge]

Cycling Australia's "Team of the Century"


Two riders for the general classification – Cadel Evans, Phil Anderson
Two domestiques to support general classification riders – Richie Porte, Michael Rogers
One sprinter – Robbie McEwen
Two leadout men for the sprinter – Brad McGee, Mark Renshaw
One all rounder – Simon Gerrans
One team captain – Sir Hubert Opperman

Not sure what Renshaw is doing there instead of O'Grady but whatever. Good outfit for a TTT.

No admitted dopers allowed

 

[Flamin]

Ronde van Vlaanderen 2015 parcours.

19 instead of 17 hellingen. Berendries back in after road works. Last 90k are exactly the same as last year.

 

[sir fly]

Ronde van Vlaanderen 2015 parcours.

19 instead of 17 hellingen. Berendries back in after road works. Last 90k are exactly the same as last year.

Mushroom's on the road again

 

[Christian]

Kenny van Hummel retires after not finding a proper team. So long Kamikaze Kenny.

Nice picture Au revoir, Kenny!

 

[Libertine Seguros]

Quatre Jours de Dunkerque-Tour du Nord-Pas-de-Calais 2015:

06/05: Dunkerque - Orchies (182km)
07/05: Fontaine-au-Pire - Maubeuge (178km)
08/05: Barlin - Saint-Omer (175km)
09/05: Lestrem - Cassel (178km)
10/05: Cappelle-la-Grande - Dunkerque (173km)

The first stage will include sectors of pavé around Orchies, though these are not likely to be the most brutal sectors. Nevertheless, with that and the welcome return of the Mont Cassel circuit, this might be harder for Demare to dominate quite as he has done the last two years.

 

[Microchip]

Police who investigated Pantani death open legal proceedings over recent claims

...a "deluge" of accusations...taking "every conceivable form"...

“a media lynching that has taken unacceptable proportions and seems to be fed by specious and dogmatic reconstructions, often accompanied by so-called facts that are manifestly false.”

All these superlatives & adjectives used in someone's defense... ...so unnecessary...

 

[LaFlorecita]

Someday soon, cyclists might never again have to worry about running out of water on a hot and humid day.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/11/17/water-from-air-fontus_n_6160136.html

How long this this tech gets into the Pro Peloton?

Really cool! thanks for posting

 

[Bye Bye Bicycle]

Giant-Alpecin will have a German licence in 2015 already. So Germany's back in the World Tour.

 

[staubsauger]

Giant-Alpecin will have a German licence in 2015 already. So Germany's back in the World Tour.

Pure speculation from my site, but I wouldn't be surprised if a cycling squad Deutsche Post - DHL finally comes true in future. They've no other long-term sport sponsorship right now except the Postbank sponsoring Borussia Mönchengladbach. And it's simply such a logical marketing stint.

Is Giant actually confirmed as long-term main title-sponsor or are they still some sort of placeholder?

 

[Arnout]

Pure speculation from my site, but I wouldn't be surprised if a cycling squad Deutsche Post - DHL finally comes true in future. They've no other long-term sport sponsorship right now except the Postbank sponsoring Borussia Mönchengladbach. And it's simply such a logical marketing stint.

Is Giant actually confirmed as long-term main title-sponsor or are they still some sort of placeholder?

DHL is an official Formula 1 sponsor as well.

 

[Arnout]

Great news, after multiple reports 4-72 would stop after this year they now confirm they will continue in 2015

It's the premier Colombian development team and is very commited to develop clean riders. Among other things, they fund a bio-passport system for their riders while they're in no way obligated to do so.

 

[jens_attacks]

uff the escarabajos team who can't even climb the stairs at the hotel... what can i say..legendary squad

 

[Ricco']

It's time to Samu step down the saddle and go take care of his kids.

It's a shame that a pro cyclist thinks this way about something so iconic of his sport. It's even more difficult to accept coming from a olympic champion.

http://www.biciciclismo.com/es/samu...iativa-la-reduccion-de-las-grandes-06-12-2014

 

[Gloin22]

It's time to Samu step down the saddle and go take care of his kids.

It's a shame that a pro cyclist thinks this way about something so iconic of his sport. It's even more difficult to accept coming from a olympic champion.

http://www.biciciclismo.com/es/samu...iativa-la-reduccion-de-las-grandes-06-12-2014

What's wrong with expression of his opinion?

Many say GTs are boring. Reducing them to 2 weeks would bring more intensity in racing. Guaranteed. Still there's lots of pros and cons, but what he says is not wrong.

 

[Netserk]

What's wrong with expression of his opinion?

Many say GTs are boring. Reducing them to 2 weeks would bring more intensity in racing. Guaranteed. Still there's lots of pros and cons, but what he says is not wrong.

Nope. It's like saying easy mountain stages bring more excitement than hard mountain stages because the riders will have energy to attack.

Add a fourth week and/or remove rest days. Much better that way. Guaranteed.